Contact: Paula Weis
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI MACHINERY, MOLDERS AND MOLDMAKERS DIVISIONS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR SPRING BUSINESS CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON (February 22, 2005) - The Machinery, Molders and Moldmakers Divisions of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) will host a combined 2005 Spring Business Conference May 1-4, 2005, at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, AZ.

The annual meeting will combine hard-hitting business sessions with a number of networking opportunities for members of each division. A keynote address by NBC News Commentator and Former Dean of the National War College, Col. Kenneth Allard, will focus on "The War of Business Management."

Also on the agenda is an economic snapshot, "Looking Forward: Are We Moving in the Right Direction?" by Bill Wood, senior economist for Mountaintop Economics, Colrain, MA, and "Resin Supply/Demand Pricing: Cause and Effect," by Howard Rappaport, global practice leader, thermoplastics, at CMAI.

SPI's new President, Bill Carteaux, will present his vision of the future in, "2004 in Review and What SPI is Doing for You," and division chairs Tom Benson, Rob Werge and Mike Wiegele, will deliver a 2004 Year in Review for the Machinery, Molders and Moldmakers Divisions, respectively.

An evaluation of the SPI Committee on Equipment Statistics program will be followed by and open discussion period, and John Blundy of Incoe Corp., Troy, MI, will present, "Improving Shear Induced Imbalance in Hot Runner Systems." Additionally, Larry Hotaling of Global Diligence, Ltd., will explore "Insights into Asia/China Plastics Suppliers and Tips for Operating in the Region."

Also on the agenda is an update from NPE 2006 Chair Tim Stojka, CEO of Fast Heat Inc., who will introduce attendees to "Behind the Scenes of NPE 2006," followed by Steve Miller of Adventure, LLC, who will present "It's Not Your Father's Trade Show."

Brian Jones of Nypro will present "Surviving Diversity the Nypro Way," and attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the conference and offer suggestions for next year's event during a special breakfast session. The conference will wrap-up with a video premiere of the grand opening of the "Fantastic Plastics Works," SPI's 5,000-sq.-ft. plastics industry showcase at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot ® at the Walt Disney World ® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL (www.plasticsworks.com).

Registration materials and other information are available online at http://www.plasticsmachinery.org/05mmmconference.htm, or by contacting Jennifer Jones, (202) 974-5321; e-mail jjones@socplas.org.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

Back to Top

More About SPI:   Vision and Mission . Membership . Business Units . Regional Offices . News and Publications . Calendar of Events . Terms and Conditions of Use